The Book Designer

The Journal: Further Elucidation on Firearms

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Topic: Further Elucidation on Firearms * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “Think like a wise man but communicate in the language of the people.” William Butler Yeats Topic: Further Elucidation on Firearms In my topic yesterday on authenticity I wrote that a clip is used to feed a magazine, the cartridge-feeding mechanism used to deliver cartridges to the chamber of a semi-automatic weapon. My intention was to explain that the device a shooter would manually insert into the underside of a semiautomatic rifle or the … Read more

The Journal: Just a Reminder

In today’s Journal * Just a reminder to my patrons * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers Just a reminder to my patrons, please don’t forget to let me know what you’d like from your reward tier. You can see the tiers by clicking https://harveystanbrough.com/be-a-patron/. To read descriptions of novels, novellas, nonfiction books and short story collections (and make your selections), visit StoneThread Publishing at https://stonethreadpublishing.com/. Today is a day of book shifting, business planning, reading, studying and a trip to Sierra Vista. No fiction writing. (But I have a sneaking suspicion Algae Prime might be coming back.) Talk … Read more

The Journal: It’s Easier to Fool People…

In today’s Journal * Quote of the day * What’s Coming * I was completely underwhelmed * I got a review * I’m on the verge * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “It’s easier to fool people than to convince them that they have been fooled.” Mark Twain Yesterday I wrote a blog post for HarveyStanbrough.com for 18 February, then moved another one to 25 February. And my current thinking is, that will be that. Beginning in March, the blog over there will effectively become my author newsletter. I plan to alternate posts every … Read more

The Journal: Free Stuff

In today’s Journal * Topic: Free Stuff * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers Topic: Free Stuff Because I expect my production to really soar this year, from time to time I’ll be giving away a free novel or novella. I know not everyone reads this drivel every day, so I’ll try to remember to keep the giveaway in place for a week. When I give away anything, I’ll also try to remember to offer an advance glimpse at it with a description so you can gauge your interest. You can still get my latest, The Cazadores Lounge and … Read more

The Journal: I Don’t Mean to Sound Harsh But

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * Over on Pro Writers Writing * Wanting to share, Subscriber Finn wrote * Had a very enjoyable visit * Topic: I Don’t Mean to Sound Harsh But * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “I think it actually helps with the creativity to know that I don’t have time to think. Whatever comes out, that’s it. And that tends to be some of the best stuff and some of the most authentic stuff.” Sean Petrie of the Typewriter Rodeo “[Rewriting is] a belief in process rather … Read more

The Journal: Quote of the Day (and Little Else)

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “I got tired of wading through discussions that had nothing to do with helping authors make a living with their words and everything to do with Proper Group Think and Virtue Signaling the appropriate amount of Woke.” C.D. Watson on why s/he left RWA No topic today, and very little else, but a good “Of Interest” section. And I had a pretty good fiction writing day. Talk with you again soon. Of Interest See “But It’s Important!” at https://www.deanwesleysmith.com/but-its-important/. This … Read more

The Journal: On My Goals and Ugh

In today’s Journal * On My Goals * Ugh. It’s going to be a full day * Of Interest * The Numbers On My Goals Another update. I never want my goals to limit me. That would just be stupid. Goals are there to make us reach, not to hold us back. Duh. So for the duration (now through June 2020) I don’t necessarily have to START a short story on or after a Sunday, but I have to have a new one finished every Saturday by midnight. Likewise, I don’t have to START a novel on or after the … Read more

The Journal: Preaching to the Choir (I Hope)

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * Topic: Preaching to the Choir (I Hope) * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “Many people hear voices when no one is there. Some of them are called “mad” and are shut up in rooms where they stare at the walls all day. Others are called “writers” and they do pretty much the same thing.” Ray Bradbury “I have some goals, but I’m going to mostly keep those to myself. Some of them are very high reaching, and I’ve learned that voicing them just gets criticism… … Read more

The Journal: Fun with Numbers and a Blast from the Past

In today’s Journal * Topic: Fun With Numbers and a Blast from the Past * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers Topic: Fun With Numbers and a Blast from the Past Recently on a blog I follow now and then (the writer doesn’t post often), a writer listed her fiction numbers for the past several years. I like that, so I stole the idea. (Thanks, L.) Now, I’m not comparing myself with L or with anyone else. We all have different lives with different priorities and with different time requirements levied on us. So I’m just jooking back to … Read more

The Journal: An Excellent Opportunity

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Topic: An Excellent Opportunity * Today * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “I have always followed one bit of advice that echoes in my head, and it’s that as a writer … your number one job description is to communicate properly your idea. Being self-indulgent is for fine artists.” world-famous writer and cartoonist Bob Eckstein Topic: An Excellent Opportunity For anyone out there who wants to make money with your stories or the story bits that I call “internal IP” (settings, characters, items, gadgets, etc.), Dean Wesley … Read more